Copyright 2006 Alexandra Lee
*
At nine o'clock the next morning a knock sounded at their door heralding the arrival of one of Chief Inspector Gupti's officers. They were driven in polite silence to Delhi police headquarters and met by the senior police officer himself who was beaming as though they were long lost friends.
'Welcome, welcome Mister and Mrs Price, I am so glad that you could come.'
Danielle couldn't suppress a smile at his congeniality and the pretence that they had any choice but to be here.
'Mrs Price, this is Senior Sergeant Anwar,' he turned to a stocky female police officer who nodded curtly at her. 'If you could be so good as to accompany her and answer a few questions that would be most appreciated.' Danielle was caught off-guard by the idea that they would be separated, but nodded and accompanied the Sergeant.
The interview room was small and brightly lit with three chairs and a small rectangular table. Sergeant Anwar lacked the social graces of her superior officer and wasted no time at commencing the interview.
'Mrs Price, why did you feel it necessary to come to India so suddenly?'
'Because I heard that my husband had been arrested...'
'But he is not under arrest...'
'My government told me otherwise,' Danielle sharpened her tone to indicate that she did not like being interrupted. 'Naturally I was concerned and came to see what assistance I could give.'
'Did your government tell you why Mr Price had been interviewed?'
'No.' It was an easy lie to tell.
'Do you know why?'
'No, nor does he and we would very much like this matter to be cleared up. Perhaps you could enlighten me?'
'Mrs Price, your husband had contact with a leading scientist who is suspected of,' the policewoman paused, 'suspected of selling information.'
'Are you accusing my husband of being involved in espionage?' She tried to sound indignant.
'We aren't accusing anyone of anything at this stage,' the policewoman answered smoothly, 'just interviewing those who have been in contact with the scientist.'
'My company, JetAAI employs several leading scientists...'
'Yes, yes, we are aware of that, however this gentleman is not one of those employed by AAI.' Danielle felt that there was an implied threat in using the name of the Indian parent company rather than that of the subsidiary, but refused to be intimidated.
'Perhaps we should seek the services of a lawyer.'
'Perhaps,' Anwar replied non-committally. Danielle had to award her high marks on being unflappable. 'But the involvement of lawyers invariably leads to publicity and perhaps at this stage we do not want this?'
'No, I suppose not,' Danielle backed down. The interview lasted another ten minutes, largely covering her previous business trips; who she met with regularly and the nature of JetAAI's business.
'Do you love your husband Mrs Price?' The question came out of the blue. Danielle had started to relax and thought that the interview was almost over.
'What? Yes, of course, but I don't see what that has to do with anything.'
'Of course, of course. And is your sex life...pleasurable?'
'How dare you!' Danielle was genuinely shocked and offended by the question.
'I'm sorry to ask,' Anwar said, sounding anything but sorry, 'but there are...rumours that this is not the case.'
'Well I'm happy to answer those rumours by saying that my husband and I love fucking each other!' Danielle felt a stab of victory when the policewoman flinched at the obscenity, guessing that quoting rumours was their way of letting them know that they were being watched.
'Is that all, is this interview over?'
'Um, yes, yes, thank you, Inspector Gupti will be in shortly.' Anwar fled the interrogation room and Danielle allowed a small smile of self-congratulations at getting to the policewoman. A short while later Stu and Inspector Gupti entered the room.
'Ah, Mrs Price, I am so sorry to take so much of your valuable time,' his head shook and his gold tooth sparkled. 'I believe that this matter will be resolved within a day or so.' He stood aside and indicated that they should leave, following them into the foyer and shaking their hands before ushering them into the care of the policeman who had driven them to the station.
***
'So how was your interview?' Stu asked once they were back in the room. At first Danielle thought that they shouldn't discuss it while they knew that they were being spied on, but of course to do so would appear normal.